Cover for loose leaf books



April 30, 1929..

C. D. TRUSSELL COVER FOR LOOSE LEAF BOOKS Filed Feb. 20, 1925 2Sheets-Sheet 45 INVENTOR' auwflf. g I By Attqmeys,

C. D. TRUSSELL COVER FOR LOOSE LEAF BOOKS April 30, 1929.

Filed Feb. 20, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR By' Attorneys,

Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE I). TRUSSELL, F POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO TR'USSELLMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK,'A CORPORATION OF NEWYORK.

Application filed February This invention relates to covers,particularly adapted for books of the loose leaftype, such as thewell-known ring books. Such books have covers which are of either rigidor flexible material. In either case the back portion to which themetals or ring binding devices are attached is usually made with acertain degree of rigidity; in the case of flexible books the cover iscommonly made of leather or a leather substitute, which is grooved orreduced at the sides of the back to form flexible hinges; in case ofrigid covers the sides are formed of stiff boards suitably covered andconnected to the backs by either flexible hinges or inter-leaved metalhinges. An example of such metal hinges is set forth in my application,Serial No. 430,581, filed December 1-3, 1920. l

The present invention provides certain improved constructions, thenature of which will be set forth with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which show two embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 is a transversesection of a book of the ring type, havingside-boards connected to the back portion by metal hinges.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the back portion of the book.

Fig. 3 is a similar view, showing a slightly different construction.

Fig. 4 is a fragment,'showing the hinge portion of the metal backplate.V

Fig. 5'is a fragment of the metal back-plate before bending to formthe-hinges and edge flanges.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal mid-section on the line 6--6 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view, showing the invention asapplied to a cover of leather or equivalent material, forming flexiblesides. V

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view, showing the parts of thebackof Fig. 7 before assembly.

Fig. 9 is a similar View, showing these parts after being assembled.

Fig. 10 includes two transverse sections, showing different methods ofgrooving the edge of the leather of the back.

Fig. 11 is a section corresponding to Fig. 6, and showing a differentconstruction.

COVER non LOOSErLEAF BOOKS.

20, 1925. Serial No. 10,586.

Fig. 12 is a perspective of a hinge.

F ig. 13 is a section of a modification of Fig. 1.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 6, A is the back portion and B B the sidesof the book cover, which in this instance are hinged together by hingesC G. The back portion A has an outer layer of leather or equivalentmaterial a, and an inner layer consisting of a metal plate I) ofsuitable stiffness to impart the desired degree of rigidity to the bookback. The metals or binding devices indicated as a whole by the letter Dmay be of any usual or suitable construction. In the form shown in Fig.1 these devices comprise a spring back-plate c, a cover plate (Z andhalf-rings or prongs es, the mounting of which is not shown, but whichmay be connected in any suitable manner as to back-plates mountedbetween the plates 0 or (Z, so as to open and close in the wellunderstood way, and to remain either open or closed under. springstress. The back-plate o is commonly fastened to the book back bysuitable tongues or ears which are bent down into proper engagement inthe well-known manner.

The hinges C C are displaced from their customary position in suchbooks, being elevated (when the book .lies on its back, as shown) bymaking the book-back wider than usual and bending it upward at itssides.

The hinges are thus brought to a level approximating or somewhat abovethe plate (Z andthe base of the prongs, with the result that the stiifsides of the book afford a complete support for the bound leaves, sothat they may be easily written on, and so that their perforated marginsengage the prongs enough above their bases to avoid any forcible bendingof the leaves.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 2, the metal back-plate b issuitably curved and its edges are formed into hinge eyes 7 f forconstituting one member of each of the hinges C C.- Beyond the hingeeyes the edges 9 of the metal'are turned outwardly so far as to embraceand engage the edges of the leather back a. The edges of the leather arepreferably previously creased or rabbeted, as shown in Fig. 10, or inany other similar manner, so that the flanges g which are formed by theedges of the metal plate may enter these reduced edge portions, andthereby avoid male ing the hinges of greater thickness than the bookback or sides. It is preferable to also unite "the metal back-plate andthe leather portion an otherwise than at their edges, as by cementingthem together, or by means of bentover tongues, or preferably by both.In Fig. 2 the plate 7) has outturned tongues it it which are passedthrough suitable holes in the leather back a, and are clinched downagainst the exterior of the back, as best shown in Fig. 6. For furtherperfecting the attachment of the portions (z b, it is also desirable toform the plate Z) with a projecting flange i at each end, which flangeis curled outwardly, and enters the leath er, preferably engaging agroove or rabbeted end edge of the leather a, as est shown in Fig. 6.The tongues it It should be pressed well into the leather, so as not toproject beyond it, so that any scratching of a desk or table is avoided.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and. 5, the preferred construction of the edgeportion of the plate 5 is shown. Here the blank punched out at Z Z toform the gaps between the eyes of the hinge for receiving the eyes ofthe mating hinged member, and beyond these portions the edge portion 9is corrugated, so as to embrace within it a part of the edge of theleather, as shown in Fig. 3. This separates the hinge eyes from theflange g engaging the edge of the leather back.

The mating member m of each hinge which is applied to the side B of thecover may be constructed in any suitable manner. The construction shownresembles generally that set forth in my aforesaid application No.430,581, but diifers in that the metal leaves a n are of differentwidths, so that their flanges or prongs instead of penetrating theleather of the side B opposite to each other are out of alignment; thusthe sides are weakened to the minimum possible extent. The hinge memberm may be as shown in Fig. 12, its leaves a a havin inturned flanges 0 0which enter shallow grooves in the leather and with or withoutadditional teeth or prongs 0 0 at intervals which may deeply penetratethe leather. The hinge is completed by inserting a rod or pintle 2)through the mating eyes in the usual manner.

In Fig. 2 the upturned tongue Q is one of those commonly provided forattaching the back-plate 0, the use of which is well understood.

teferring to Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the invention is shown as applied to abook-back lettered A, which is fastened. eXtcriorly to an integralbook-cover l3, here shown as of the flexible type, which coverconstitutes both the back portion and sides of the book. A boolecover ofthis type is shown in my Patent, No. 1,104,394, dated July 21, 1914-. InFig. 7 the cover is shown as longitudinall indented or grooved, at 2' I,to render it more flexible and thereby constitute flexible hingeportions between the back and sides of the cover (essentially like theweakened lines 99 in my said Patent No. 1,16%}.84).

The book-back A is of substantially the same construction alreadydescribed with r spect to the back portion A of the previous figures,except that it is shown as narrower, its side portions not beinguptiiirned, as shown in Figs 1, 2 and 3. The book-back comprises anouter layer of leather a and an inner metal plate 6, as before, thelatter having its edge portions 9 curved outwardly to embrace the edgesor margins of the leather, the latter being preferably recessed orrabbeted along the edges, .in order that the metal edges may notproject: outwardly far enough to come in contact ith a desk or othersurface on which the book is used, and which might possibly be scratchedby contact with. hard metal. The outturned tongues h and inturnedtongues {Z are the same as in the previous figures.

lVhile the fastening means shown and described are adequate for theuniting of the metal plate 7) and the leather back a, yet it may bedesirable to further unite them by glue or other cement.

The ed es of the leather a may be variously reduced to receive the edgeflanges g of the metal plate Z). Fig. 10 shows in cross-section twodifferent constructions. the left a thin groove 8 is cut in the leather,into which the metal plate may enter, this being the character of unionshown in Figs. 2 or In the one at the right the edge portion of theleather simply reduced in thickness or rabbeted at 6, this being thecharacter of edge shown in '7 to 9.

Instead of passing the outturned tongues hentirely through the leather64., these tongues may be concealed in the manner shown in Fig. 11. Thismay be done by turning the tongue it obli u l and incising the leatherso as to form'in lined recesses for receiving these tongues, the tongueshein g entered into the recesses, and afterward if ncedl somewhatflattened by exerting pressure, .as by hammering up against the outerside of the leather. If the end flanges i are used, the leather neednotbe engaged by these until after its engagement with the side flanges gand tong es it.

The present invention has the advantage of providing a leathenfaced backwhich avoids the necessity of shaving down the la .ter to a tnin edgeportion, so that this portion may be folded around the edges of themetal stiffening plate, such being the construction of combined metaland leather backs heretofore provided. With such for- In the one at merconstruction the leather is liable to wear present invention whichinsures that the leather shall be of full thickness throughout, exceptat the very edges where it is only (preferably) reduced where it engagesthe metal flanges, in order to bring these back of the outer face of theleather. As the back is subjected to the hardest wear of any part of thebook, it is highly desirable that it should be the strongest part,whereas with the prior constructions it has been the weakest or mostliable to wear out. Vith the present construction as the leather is notshaved down or folded over, the leather can be as heavy, or of asgreatthickness, as may be desired.

Other advantages of the improved construction herein set forth will beapparent.

In Fig. 13 is shown on a larger scale than Fig. 1 a slightly diflerentconstruction of the hinge member on, whereby its external portion ismostly concealed The inner leaf n is the same as before exceptpreferably somewhat wider; the outer leaf a is shorter than before andinstead of being parallel with the leaf n so as to lie flush with theouter surface of the side B, it projects obliquely into a groove in theside similar to the groove 8 in Fig. 10. Thus the leather exterior tothe groove covers the greater part of the leaf n" and thereby concealsit, making a desirable external finish so that the hinge structure isinconspicuous. The hinge leaf n is shown as having the inturned flange 0and prongs 0; while the leaf n has no right angled flange 0 but may haveprongs o projecting at intervals in alinement with the leaf n.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precisedetails of construction shown and described, as these may be modified toa considerable extent within the scope of the invention as defined inthe claims.

While leather is referred to as the material for the outer back, andthis is the preferable material, yet it is understood that leather isnamed only as an example, and that any equivalent material or leathersubstitute may be used instead, said other materials being well known.

What I claim is: I

1. A'book cover having a back portion comprising a metal plate and aleather outer back, the edges of the metal plate entering the edges ofthe leather of the back so thatthe metal of the back does not projectoutside of the leather.

2. A book cover having a back portion comprising a metal plate and aleather outer back, the metal plate having edge flanges and the leatherhaving edge grooves entered by said flanges so that the metal does notproject externally beyond the leather.

3. A cover according to claim 1, the metal plate having edge flangesout-turned to engage the leather, and the latter reduced externally atits side edges to receive said flanges, so that the metal does notproject outside of the leather.

4. A cover according to claim 1, the metal plate having end flangesturned outwardly and overlapping and confining the ends of the leather.

5. A cover according to claim 1, the leather back grooved on its endsand the metal plate having out-turned flanges at its ends enterward atthe sides, and the metal plate having hinge eyes near its edges'toengage similar eyes on the sides, whereby the hinges are separated fromthe back of the book.

8. A cover according to claim 1, the edge portions of the metal plateforming hinge eyes and the edges thereof entering the edges of theleather.

9. A cover according to claim 2, the edge portions of the metal platecut and bent to form intermittent hinge eyes and the edges of the platebeyond the eyes forming continuous flanges to embrace the edges of theleather and the metal portions exterior to the leather imbedded therein.

10. A cover according to claim 1, having cover sides hinged to the backportion, the hinges comprising continuous hinge leaves attached to theedge portions of the sides and interengaging hinge eyes formedreciprocally on the meeting edges of the metal back plates and saidleaves.

11. A cover according to claim 1, the metal plate having its side edgesand ends outturned and entering grooves in the leather back, with themetal portions on the exterior of less projection than the leather.

12. A book cover having a leather back and sides hinged together byhinges within the thickness of the back and sides, comprisingsheet-metal hinge leaves embracing the hinged edge portion of a sidebetween them and of different widths, the inner leaf wider thantheouter, each formed with inturned portions entering the material of theside at different distances from its edge so that the material ispenetrated from opposite sides at non-coincident points.

13. A book cover having a leather back and sides hinged together,comprising sheet-- metal hinge leaves embracing the hinged edge portionof a side between them and of different widths, the inner leaf widerthan the outer, each formed with edge portions entering the leather, andthe leather grooved on its outer side near its edge to receive and thehinge leaves having inturned portions partly conceal the external leaf.entering the leather back and sides adjacent 14:- A book cover having aleather back the hinge eyes, so that the hinges are mainly 10 and sideshinged together, comprising sheetcovered and concealed on the exterior.5 metal hinge leaves embracing the hinged edge In Witness whereof, Ihave hereunto portions of the back and side and formed signed my name.

With alternating eyes engaged by a pintle, CLARENCE D. TRUSSELL.

